Ford picks pair with UT links to aid transition

11/17/2001

Two people with close ties to the University of Toledo have been appointed co-chairs of Mayor-elect Jack Ford's transition team.

Robert Savage, a member of the UT Foundation board of trustees, and Sue Wuest, a research associate at the university, were named yesterday to help plan the start of Mr. Ford's administration.

More transition team members will be appointed next week, according to a statement from Mr. Ford's office.

Mr. Ford, who has a master's degree from the university and has been on the faculty since 1979, was elected Nov. 6 and takes office Jan. 1.

Ms. Wuest, 45, does research and policy analysis with the university's urban affairs center. She is a member of the Toledo plan commission.

Mr. Savage, 63, president and chief executive officer of Savage & Associates, was elected to city council in 1963, 1965, and 1967. He served on the board of trustees from 1985 to 1996, and was recently appointed to the foundation board, which manages the university's investments.

Most recently, Mr. Savage was co-chairman of the campaign to renew the city's 0.75 percent income tax for four years.

Ms. Wuest said the transition team will coordinate hiring of staff. She said the team will work out of Lucas County Democratic Party headquarters and will use the office in Government Center provided by Mayor Carty Finkbeiner for meetings.

She said she will call groups, like the U.S. Conference of Mayors, to get some models of cities that have done transitions well.

Mr. Ford has said he will give up his teaching position at the university as well as at Bowling Green State University.

Mr. Ford was returning from a three-day seminar for new mayors at Harvard University and could not be reached for comment.